For well over 40 years, Doc’s Sports Service has been one of the top selection service companies in the sports gaming industry. Over the years we have forged relationships with some of the best handicappers in the game to provide a steady stream of winners to our loyal customers. One of our top handicappers over the past five years has been the Vegas Sports Informer. He has made his way up to the top of the ranks in the industry by combining the unique ability to successfully break down matchups along with 15 years experience working behind the counter of one of the biggest sportsbooks in Las Vegas. The time spent working in the Mecca of sports gambling has created an insider’s edge that enables The Informer to consistently provide weekly winners in a number of different sports.

As part of an ongoing weekly series, Doc’s Sports decided to sit down with The Informer to get a first-hand, behind-the-scenes update on what is really going in the Las Vegas books as well as get his expert opinion on each week’s hottest trending sports gaming topics.

Doc’s Sports: With 29 of 35 bowl games in the books, which ones attracted the most action from the betting public?

VSI: Things were actually pretty quiet with the bowl games up until this past Monday. Even though Georgia Tech closed as a 7.5-point underdog against USC, everybody was on the Yellow Jackets once Matt Barkley was scratched. The biggest winner for the books by far was Clemson’s upset of LSU, but they made much of it back on Northwestern’s win over Mississippi State. I would say that the books broke even on the Rose Bowl, with quite a bit of late money coming in on Wisconsin.

Doc’s Sports: The biggest game of the college football season takes place this Monday night. The line on Notre Dame vs. Alabama as remained fairly steady with the Crimson Tide favored by 10 points and the total set at 41.5. Where is all the money going on this game in Las Vegas?

VSI: When the spread on this game first came out, most of the early money went on the Irish. However, as the game gets closer and closer I have noticed a major shift towards Alabama, which has worked to keep the spread fairly stable. This game has attracted little interest on the total line, as all that money is going on the “over” in the Kansas State vs. Oregon game. There is a good amount of money being bet on the total line for Oklahoma vs. Texas A&M, but that has been evenly split.

Doc’s Sports: Turning to the NFL Wild Card games this weekend, Houston comes in with just one win in its last four games and Baltimore is 1-4 in its last five. Which team would be the best one to go against?

VSI: The Texans have definitely looked shaky down the stretch, but the Ravens are in much greater danger of not only not covering the 6.5 points but losing outright. It would be hard to bet against the Colts with Chuck Pagano back on the sidelines, as he has been a source of major inspiration all season long. Right now, I would take Andrew Luck over Joe Flacco, and when you add in the fact that Ray Lewis decides to announce his retirement four days before the game that is just one more distraction that the Ravens did not need. This is the kind of matchup to possibly make a big play on the Colts on the money line if you are eying up a big payday.

Doc’s Sports: Conference play gets underway this week in men’s college basketball. When it comes to the Big Ten, Indiana is an even-money favorite to win the regular season title with both Ohio State and Michigan next at 2/1 odds. Which team is your sleeper out of this conference?

VSI: First of all, out of the three favorites I really like Michigan’s chances to wind up on top. It has the kind of team that will continue to improve as the season wears on. If had to go with longer odds, I would take Illinois. The Fighting Illini definitely do not have the best defense in the conference. However, if their outside shooting can stay hot over the next two months, they have the ability to beat anyone in the Big Ten.

Doc’s Sports: Finally, it looks like there is some movement with the labor impasse in the NHL. What are your inside sources telling you about a possible settlement?

VSI: A few months back, I had heard that there was a good chance that the entire season would be cancelled. With both sides finally willing to make some major concessions, it looks like a deal could get done by later this week or early next week. The season would start up later in the month and consist of 46 games mainly played within each conference. Next Sunday, Jan.13 is the drop-dead day to get a deal done.

To keep up on all the inside information from Las Vegas be sure to follow VSI on Twitter @vsidocsports. Also, if you have any questions for The Informer that you would like us to cover in future articles please email them to askvsi@docsports.com and we will do our best to add them into the mix.